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Monstrous Mealy Bugs!
The white areas on the tips of this Senecio stapeliaeformis are little monsters. They are adult and nymph-stage mealy bugs. See the bottom of the page for scans of mealies on a Paphiopedilum leaf.
Mealy bugs occur when the humidity levels and the light levels in a plant's environment are out of balance. If too much humidity is present in a low light situation, "mealies" will arrive. The like succulent plants as well as those plants high in nitrogen.
Over fertilizing and over watering is an invitation to the mealies. The one exception to this condition is for cacti. Mealy bugs are most likely to show up on cacti when they are drought stressed.
The adult female mealy bug can lay up to 500 eggs under the cottony covering she hides within. These eggs hatch within two weeks. The nymph-stage insects can move quickly to infest the plant. The males develop into flying adults and the females are adult egg layers-all within another four weeks.
Additionally, mealy bugs share something with aphids: both these insects are protected and "herded" by ants. The ants harvest the honeydew that these insects produce.
Another little trick mealy bugs have is to retreat to the crown or roots of a plant when their conditions aren't as favorable on the upper portions of the plant. Like I said, Little Monsters. :)
The infestation shown in the scan was taken care of by using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. I dabbed each bug and removed them. Because the nymphs are small and fast, I will continue to check the plant every few days for a couple of weeks. I also put a spider on this plant. I don't know if it will take care of the mealies, but it will definitely keep any ants at bay.
There are other methods to take care of a more extensive infestation. These include predatory insects, horticultural oils, and insecticidal soaps.
It is best to check with your local extension service or nursery before trying these methods, and mention the plants you are treating. Some of the products will burn or damage foliage, some are okay to use in the soil as well, while others are not.
Mealy bugs can be monstrous, but frequent inspection of plants and quick action can keep them from being a monster mob.
This is a Paphiopedilum (orchid) leaf with a mealybug colony.
Close-up of the colony on a Paphiopedilum leaf. All the different life stages are present here, from eggs through adults.